Comparison of glycosaminoglycan chemical exchange saturation transfer using Gaussian‐shaped and off‐resonant spin‐lock radiofrequency pulses in intervertebral disks. Issue 1 (3rd August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Müller‐Lutz, Anja; Cronenberg, Tom; Schleich, Christoph; Wickrath, Frithjof; Zaiss, Moritz; Boos, Johannes; Wittsack, Hans‐Jörg
• Is Part Of: Magnetic resonance in medicine. Volume 78:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 280
• Page End: 284
• Publication Date: 2016-08-03
• Subjects: chemical exchange saturation transfer -- spin‐lock -- glycosaminoglycans -- intervertebral disks; Nuclear magnetic resonance -- Periodicals; Electron paramagnetic resonance -- Periodicals; 616.07548
• DOI: 10.1002/mrm.26362
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0740-3194

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: To investigate, if a train of spin‐lock pulses (chemical exchange saturation transfer with spin‐lock pulses = CESL) improves biochemical glycosaminoglycan imaging compared with conventional chemical exchange saturation transfer with Gaussian‐shaped pulses (CEST) in lumbar intervertebral discs. Methods: T2, CEST, and CESL imaging was performed in lumbar intervertebral discs of 15 healthy volunteers at 3 Tesla. Mean and standard deviation of the asymmetric magnetization transfer ratio (MTRasym ), the asymmetric spin‐lock ratio (SLRasym ) and T2 values were calculated for nucleus pulposus (NP) and annulus fibrosus (AF). Wilcoxon test was used to analyze differences between MTRasym and SLRasym . Pearson correlation was used to determine the relationship between MTRasym, SLRasym and T2 . Results: Data showed no significant difference between MTRasym and SLRasym (NP: P = 0.35; AF: P = 0.34). MTRasym and SLRasym values differed significantly between NP and AF (MTRasym : P = 0.014, SLRasym : P = 0.005). T2 values correlated significantly with MTRasym (NP: ρ = 0.76, P < 0.001; AF: ρ = 0.60, P < 0.001) and SLRasym (NP: ρ = 0.73, P < 0.001; AF: ρ = 0.47, P < 0.001). Conclusion: CESL does not improve the chemical exchange asymmetry effect compared with conventional CEST, but leads to comparable results. Magn Reson Med 78:280–284, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine